trust fund investing

The veritable personification of god sternly sat in judgment listening to my plaintive defense. The longer we sat the more my confidence was shaken. And we sat for a long time. Finally I cried out in desperation, "I don't know if I can. I am so unworthy." His eyes twinkled from behind a full beard that buried his face in thick wool and a knowing smile spread across Brother Micah's lips. "Truly, we are all unworthy," the monk confided. But that's not the answer I wanted to hear. I had hoped for some assurance that everything would be okay, but all I got was an affirmation of risk and that made me nervous. Perhaps I shouldn't take the chance.

Each day we take many risks of minor consequence, but when we're playing with fire - when life as we know it is on the line - then the unknown scares us. That's what causes the judicious servant in today's parable to play it safe. He doesn't want to take a chance losing his god-given talent, so he hides it and therefore has nothing to show for it when the credit is called due. He is scorned and condemned, but considering the market's ups and downs recently, it may not have been such a bad strategy. Similarly, Lorraine bemoaned the fact that her retirement account lost a bundle this year and wondered if it would have been best to hide it under a mattress. I won't even look at mine for fear of the worst. So what chance do we have?

First of all, this isn't a lesson in investment, unless of course it's an investment in a trust fund. The Nike* Christ is saying "Just Do It," and don't hold back. Trust and give all the love you have and you will reap a bounteous reward. However, we often get the feeling that what we have to give is hardly enough. With our meager talent we shall never prove ourselves worthy. But we are not called to calculate risk, but to give love. The prudent who offer little do much to offend. 

There will always be risks for life is necessarily uncertain. But the rich opportunities will only arise when we don't deny the goodness and gifts of the universe. All that is true; All that is good; All that is wise, comes from answering with confidence the call that the divine has placed upon us. If there was no risk there would be no growth. And without growth we would not have lived. In the end, a life safely lived is not lived at all.

love, always,

pia

* Greek goddess of victory, not of Oregon shoes.